St Ives, never fails to disappoint

We thought we'd take our baby daughter to St Ives for the day, when it's sunny and we have the day free it often seems a good idea, it rarely is in practice though.

St Ives is one of those places that will be busy all summer, regardless of how little they bother to actually invest in the town, and it shows. Although today they had a few bands and banners for St Ives September Festival, so they're starting to make some effort late in the season.

Unfortunately, the facilities and the parking in the town are abysmal.

Want a cash machine - expect to walk several miles away from the shops, seafront, etc.

Want baby changing facilities, there seems to be only two restaurant/cafe anywhere on the front, and they share the dropdown changing table in a disabled bathroom (that's also used as a stock room judging by the unexpected presence of kegs of beer) in the bar.

Want disabled parking? half a dozen on street short-stay spaces, and 3 in the station car park. As for the park and ride train service - "special prices" so you can't use a disabled railcard, and if you want a seat, then get on at St Erth instead of Lelant and pay extra for parking.

The seafront itself has tiny pavements and is busy with traffic despite being clearly unsuitable for motor vehicles, confused tourists and fed up locals negotiate the packed streets so you have to have eyes up your arse to avoid your pushchair falling of the tiny kerb into a cars path, or just stay in the road and hope for the best.

Finally, a bloody seagull stole my ice-cream. Gah!